On March 21, 2024, another brilliant page was added to the records of the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School in Beirut, when His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics celebrated the Patriarchal Holy Mass and unveiled the bust of Mesrobian’s founder, Catholicos Patriarch Krikor Bedros XV Aghajanian of the Armenian Catholic Church, on the occasion of the 85^th anniversary of the school’s foundation.

The ceremony was attended by the representative of the Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia and Prelate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon, Rev. Abp. Shahe Panossian, the Chairman of the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches of the Middle East, Rev. Raffi Messerlian, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Catholic Diocese of Beirut, Mgr. Gabriel Mouradian, the Patriarchal Vicar of the Bzommar Ardzivian Congregation and Superior of the Bzommar Monastery, Bp. George Noradoungian, the Prelate of the Armenian Catholic Diocese of Damascus, Mgr. George Assadourian, the meritorious Abp. George Khazoumian, the meritorious Abp. Hovhannes Teyrouzian, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Lebanon, Mr. Vahagn Atabekian, Mesrobian's long-time benefactor, Mr. Varouj Nerguizian, deputies Hagop Pakradouni, Jean Talouzian and Hagop Terzian, former deputy Nourijan Demirjian, former ministers Shahe Barsoumian, Avedis Gidanian, Vrej Sabounjian, Richard Kouyoumjian and Vartine Ohanian-Kevorkian, the Mayor of Ainjar, Mr. Vartkes Khoshian, the Deputy Mayor of Bourj Hammoud, Mr. Mardig Aslanian, representatives of the Lebanese Armenian clergy, parties, community organizations and unions, staff members of Mesrobian College, teachers, parents and numerous friends.

The Bust Unveiling Ceremony

At 6:30 in the evening, His Beatitude the Catholicos Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI commenced the order of blessing on the bust of Cardinal Krikor Bedros XV Aghajanian placed at the entrance of Mesrobian College, surrounded by clerics and scribes. After performing the blessing prayer, His Beatitude sprinkled blessed water on the bust while the Psalm 148 was sung, glorifying God for everything He gave to mankind.

His Beatitude unveiled the bust along with the Ambassador Vahagn Atapegian, Mr. Nerguizian, Deputy Talouzian and Mesrobian’s Principal, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust. On this occasion, His Beatitude also inaugurated the picture gallery placed at the entrance of the school, where archived photos of Mesrobian's 85 years of activity and of its students are stored.

The host of the ceremony, Mrs. Maral Harboyan, gave a brief speech, pointing out that the sacred sculptures convey the messages of the Bible to us and are reminders of our great fathers and saints who are the inspiration of the church in remaining bright and upright.

After placing candles in front of the bust, the attendees headed for the Armenian Catholic St. Savior Church, led by His Beatitude and escorted by the members of the St. Mesrob scouts group, while Cardinal Aghajanian’s favorite song, ‘Mountains of My Homeland’ resonated in Mesrobian's enclosure.

Patriarchal Holy Mass and Sermon

His Beatitude Raphaël Bedros XXI Minassian, Catholicos Patriarch of Cilicia of Armenian Catholics celebrated the Patriarchal Holy Mass in the St. Savior Church on the occasion of Mesrobian College’s 85^th anniversary, assisted by Mgr. Gabriel Mouradian and Bp. George Noradoungian. In his sermon, His Beatitude brought up the greatness of the person and the importance of the work of the Most Eminent Cardinal of the Catholic Church in the life of the entire Armenian people, considering it a gift from God to the faithful flock. His Beatitude evoked the Most Eminent Cardinal, describing him as a modest, humble and extremely kind-hearted person who possessed rare human abilities and characteristics, and he expressed that he had the fortune and honor to know him directly, sharing his joys and sorrows.

The Catholicos Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI emphasized that the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School is founded on the great sacrifices and efforts that Catholicos Patriarch Aghajanian undertook in extremely difficult conditions for the sake of the new generation’s enlightenment, when the Armenians of Lebanon had not yet recovered from the wounds and pain of the Genocide. He expressed his hope that the presence of the large number of Armenians attending this Holy Mass will become a collective prayer to God, in order to bring to a successful end the canonization trial of the Servant of God Krikor Bedros Aghajanian whose body remains imperishable and intact after 62 years of his death.

His Beatitude concluded his sermon by wishing that Mesrobian’s educational family continues its mission with greater momentum and strength, inspired by the ideas and example of its founder who encourages us all to be the heirs of a people who did not hesitate to buy the freedom of their faith with their blood, by staying united in solidarity and love.

The master of ceremony was the vice parish priest of the St. Savior Church, Father Sahag Keshishian, and the coordinator of the ceremony was the parish priest of the St. Gregory the Illuminator-St. Yeghia Church and Mesrobian’s chaplain, Rev. Father Raffi Hovhannessian. During the Holy Mass, readings were made by Mesrobian's teachers Mrs. Vergin Saatjian and Mrs. Roula Sarkis, while prayers were presented by Mrs. Salpy Keshishian, the school's long-time teacher of Christian education, as well as by Mrs. Hasna Abou Elias and Mrs. Salpy Moughalian, the heads of department of the secondary and primary schools. Jessica Bajy also read an intention on behalf of the St. Mesrob Scouts whose 85^th anniversary was also completed this year. The Ardzivian choir and Mesrobian’s Swallows choir sang during the Holy Mass, conducted by Mr. Manuel Keshishian. After the Holy Mass, the Swallows choir performed two songs.

The Holy Pope’s Letter of Blessing

At the end of the Holy Mass, Rev. Father Raffi Hovhannessian read the Letter of Blessing of His Holiness Pope Francis, in which he sent his apostolic blessing to Mesrobian’s administration, staff and students and interceded with the Holy Virgin Mary to grant them prosperity and new divine gifts, on the occasion of the 85^th anniversary of the school's foundation.

Mesrobian's Principal’s Speech

The Principal of the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, spoke expressing his gratitude to the Catholicos Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI who led this Holy Mass and blessed it by his presence. "Your Eminence, your unwavering dedication to faith, education and community reflects the values we hold holy at our school," he said. "Without God's providence and guidance, we would never have been able to reach this significant milestone. We affirm that it is by His grace that we continue to thrive as a school community, shaping the minds and hearts of generations of students who have passed and will pass through our doors," said Mr. Kaloust.

Mesrobian’s Principal addressed a word of respect to the generation which founded the school, led by Cardinal Aghajanian as well as the former principals who served the school and were members of the Ardzivian Congregation. He thanked the teachers, parents, benefactors and supporters, each of whom has an important role in Mesrobian’s perpetuation. "May God's blessings keep pouring over the Armenian Catholic Mesrobian High School and its dedicated educational community. We firmly remain in the service of the Lord and the light," concluded Mr. Kaloust.

Presentation of Emblems of Appreciation

On the occasion of Mesrobian's 85^th anniversary, the Catholicos Patriarch Raphaël Bedros XXI awarded ‘Shield of Faith’ patriarchal orders to the deacon Mr. Manuel Keshishian and to Mrs. Salpy Keshishian, for their dedicated services to the Armenian Church and the Armenian School over decades. The letter of His Beatitude’s dispensation of the order was read by the vice parish priest of the St. Savior Church, Father Sahag Keshishian.

The administration of Mesrobian College, in its turn, awarded ‘Emblems of Excellence’ and honorary medals to Mr. and Mrs. Keshishian who, after completing their service at the school, will leave Lebanon and therefore will not be able to attend the 85^th anniversary ceremony to be held in May, during which the awards for meritorious teachers will be granted. Mgr. Gabriel Mouradian, Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Catholic Diocese of Beirut and Vice-Chairman of the Educational Council of Patriarchal Colleges, handed over the awards.

At the end, His Beatitude, accompanied by Mesrobian’s Principal, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, and the awarded teachers, received the congratulations of the official guests in the church, which then continued in the church hall with a cocktail.

Acknowledgements

The organizing committee of Mesrobian College’s 85^th anniversary celebrations, headed by the Principal Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, did their best to ensure the proper implementation of the events on March 21, 2024.

We would like to express our gratitude to the staff of the Armenian Catholic Patriarchate, the responsible fathers of the St. Savior Church parish, Rev. Father Raffi Hohannessian, the St. Mesrob scouts group and all those who participated in the organizational activities.